The 24th Colonial Infantry Regiment is a unit of the French Army. It is the only regiment of the navy troops to be still stationed in its original garrison, where it was created in 1902; it therefore well deserves the name of "Royal Catalan", unofficial of course, but which it has always been known in all latitudes. It should also be remembered that under the Ancien Régime, in the 17th century, a "Royal Roussillon" regiment was created in Perpignan in 1657, raised by Cardinal Mazarin under the original name of "Catalan Mazarin"; this regiment served in Canada in the 18th century.
History
Creation
December 16, 1902:creation of the 24th colonial infantry regiment in Perpignan. It comes, by splitting, from the 4th RIC, one of the "four old" regiments of the Troupes de marine, stationed in Toulon since its creation in 1854. The latter had distinguished itself in Crimea, Indochina, Madagascar and finally in China. This filiation allows him to have four inscriptions on his flag, the same inscriptions as those which appear on that of the 4th RIC.
Up to the First World War
Morocco campaign from 1908 to 1913:
The conquest of Morocco, beginning in 1907, required increasing numbers. From 1908, the 24th RIC set up strong detachments of reinforcements of around 2,000 men. Intended for the formation of the three marching regiments provided by the colonial troops; in addition, officers and non-commissioned officers are also sent to supervise the battalions of Senegalese skirmishers who have come to reinforce AOF. This campaign, hard and severe, against a very mobile and biting adversary; fanaticized, lasted six years.
The main operations in which the 1st Colonial Marching Regiment distinguished itself, to which reinforcements from the 24th RIC had been assigned, are as follows:
Participation of Chaouia 1908-1909.
Capture of Kasba Tadla 1910.
Mangin column and delivery of Marrakech 1912.
It was not until 1913, when the situation had stabilized, that the detachments were able to return to their original corps and garrisons on the eve of a long and terrible epic.
The regimental flag could add a fifth inscription:"Morocco 1908-1913".
The First World War
When mobilized in 1914, the 24th RIC was in barracks in Perpignan, the 1st battalion in Sète; it forms with the 22nd RIC, the 6th colonial brigade, which with the 4th brigade (4th and 8th RIC) constitutes the 2nd colonial infantry division itself component of the colonial army corps. Became 1st CAC in 1915 after the creation of the 2nd Colonial Army Corps. To the 4th Army.
Its strength is:
Officers 72
Non-commissioned officers and privates 3290.
1914
Operations of the Third and Fourth Armies and the Sordet Cavalry Corps:
August 20:Neufchâteau
August 22:Fighting at Rossignol
August 27:(battle of Jaulnay, Hatillon on August 31, Bussy-Le-château on September 3) on September 5 the regiment is on the Marne canal. the fight at Jaulnay cost the regiment 9 officers and 550 men, then the corps commander, Colonel Bethouart, was seriously wounded on August 31.
Battle of the Marne:the regiment was under the command of the Commandant Bourda.
South of Frignicourt. On September 6 to 10, Mont Morêt, this glorious feat of arms cost the regiment dearly 8 officers and 537 men. On September 11 the pursuit north of Valmy, Lieutenant-Colonel Jannot took command of the regiment.
On September 14 the 22nd RIC was able to seize Virginy and Massiges. Hill 199 (Mont Tetu), hill 191 fierce and deadly struggle, cost the regiment 10 officers, including 2 battalion commanders, and 450 men.
On September 16, the 24th RIC placed in reserve on September he was on the Ferme Beauséjour front - hill 191 - held until then by three infantry regiments. The strength of the regiment is no more than 21 officers and 1700 men.
On September 25, the situation is as follows the front of Beauséjour, Ruisseau de L'Étang for two kilometers is held by a battalion in outposts (Gletais battalion); the other two battalions, the 2nd and 3rd, are in outpost reserve at Minaucourt. 24th RIC. At daybreak, on the edges of Minaucourt indicate that the enemy occupied the crests of hill 180, 1,800 meters from the village. Immediately the two battalions in reserve were launched to attack these ridges; a battalion of the 2nd RIC, stationed in Minaucourt, is placed at the disposal of the commanding officer of the 24th RIC.
The right assault battalion is progressing rapidly but the Germans are in force on ridge 180 which they firmly occupy after a fierce fight, this battalion manages to outflank the Germans on the left flank; these, turned, largely decimated. give way and flee in disorder leaving in the hands of the 24th RIC the flag of the 69th German regiment of the 8th Corps and more than 300 prisoners. (During the war of 1914 to 1918, the French army conquered thirteen flags on the German army, including twelve Prussians, and lost only three). The battalion on the left could only progress slowly, the Germans, masters of the Beauséjour farm, taking the Marson stream in a row and it was only at the end of the day, thanks to the progression on the right and the particularly effective artillery support, that on this side the lines held before the attack by the Germans could be occupied. This particularly glorious day for the 24th Colonial cost it 3 officers and 470 men; in addition, the Commander and the Adjutant-Major of the battalion of the 2nd RIC, in reserve, were killed alongside Colonel Jannot. A few days later, the Commanding General of the army informs the army of the decree awarding the Legion of Honor to the flag of the 24th RIC.
1915
Champagne:
March 21 to May 31:occupation of Fortin de Beauséjour.
September 25-October 6:second battle of Champagne, La Main de Massiges
1916
On January 26, the 24th RIC was directed by land to the Somme front. Where he must occupy the sector of Herleville but, on January 29, the Germans, in a very powerful attack, penetrate our first lines between Friesland and Dompierre. On the 30th the 2nd battalion succeeded at the cost of serious losses in stopping the enemy's progress.
Battle of the Somme (July to October)
On the 29th November, the regiment relieved the 164th Infantry Regiment in the Bois de Loges sector.
1917
The attack was launched on April 16, wear and tear at Chemin des Dames. On December 5, 1917, the 24th RIC definitively left the Chemin des Dames. The losses during this period of attrition were:15 officers and 200 men. Sent to rest, he will remain until January 17, 1918.
1918
January 18 to May 26:East of Fort de la Pompelle. East of Reims.
May 28 to June 1:East of Pompelle. The enemy's attempt to outflank Reims from the east, which completely failed. regiment at the order of the army.
Finally on August 1, the enemy, exhausted, abandoned Reims. The 24th RIC then the 1st Colonial Army Corps are cited in the order of the army corps.
October 10 Suippe. Following its brilliant success, the 24th RIC was once again cited at the order of the army.
The crossing of the Aisne and the armistice.
The occupation of the Palatinate. On December 4, 1919, the regiment headed overland to the Palatinate, which it reached after a month's march and settled on January 6 in the Grunstadt region. On January 14 Colonel Garday took command of the regiment. Between February 11 and July 14, he will mount guards and then services on the Rhine, south of Germersheim, then in the Apheilgen region. On this last date, the stay of the 24th RIC in an occupied country came to an end and the regiment returned, by rail, to its peacetime garrisons.
The interwar period
Until 1925 the 24th R.I.C. resumed its peacetime activities in its garrisons of Sète (at the time This) and Perpignan. it occupies its former barracks left in August 1914 at the regiment's depot, with the exception of the Saint-Jacques barracks, located on Place du Puig and overlooking the old working-class district of Saint-Jacques, an old and dilapidated building dating from 1685, ceded to the city in 1919.
The end of the First World War was marked by a profound reorganization of the Colonial Troops. The shortage of labor due to the appalling losses incurred during the First World War (1,355,000 dead and 3,595,000 injured) partly explains this situation. A marked slowdown in the recruitment of young people has been observed. In addition, the budgetary rigors imposed by the reconstruction effort, and the absence of threat from defeated Germany, got the better of a large part of the French infantry. The Colonial Troops see nearly 80% of the regiments that compose it dissolved. Only remain as white regiments, the 3rd, 21st, 23rd RIC in mainland France, the 9th and 11th RIC in Indochina, and the 16th RIC in China. This is how the 24th RIC, which had been garrisoned since its creation in Perpignan, disappeared on May 1, 1923. He had nevertheless brilliantly illustrated himself throughout the conflict, losing more than 8,000 men and winning the cross of the Legion of Honor.
To overcome this deficiency, it was then decided to incorporate soldiers natives (Senegalese, Malagasy and Indochinese). In 1926, under the generic name of Senegalese Tirailleurs, were created. They are the 4th, 8th (Toulon), 12th (La Rochelle), 14th (Mont-de-Marsan), 16th (Montauban), and 24th regiment of Senegalese skirmishers (RTS) (Perpignan). The 42nd in Pamiers and 52nd in Carcassonne, these last two regiments became the 42nd and 52nd battalions of Madagascan and Indochinese machine gunners, they were stationed in garrisons in the south of France. Just like the North African units (Algerian, Tunisian, Moroccan Skirmishers), the RTS are more economical and more docile than the white units. This is how Perpignan recovered a colonial regiment, the 24th regiment of Senegalese skirmishers, a regiment which, despite its new name and its composition, inherited the traditions and the flag with eight inscriptions from its predecessor. most of the troops are now made up of African soldiers, commonly called "Senegalese Tirailleurs" or native soldiers, all from the various colonies of French West Africa (AOF). The "European" soldiers, in small numbers, hold the jobs of specialists (communications, serving as engines, secretaries) and are intended, in principle, for the platoons of cadets, corporals and sergeants.
On May 1, 1923 the 24th RIC became, by change of name, the 24th RTC "24th regiment of colonial skirmishers". Then on March 1, 1926, a new name change formalized a de facto situation:the 24th RTC became the 24th RTS "24th regiment of Senegalese skirmishers".
During the Rif War (1925 -1927). The Abd-El-Krim offensive, part of the Rif mountain range, straddling the border between Spanish and French Morocco, after driving back Spanish troops on the coast, is now sweeping south, seriously threatening the Protectorate and first the lines of communication between Algeria and Morocco through Oujda. On June 4 and 5, the 24th RTC, under the orders of Colonel Le Boulanger6, left its garrisons and embarked on the 8th and 9th at Marseilles; he arrives in Casablanca. It splits into two elements, the first, under the orders of the corps commander (2nd and 3rd battalion), enters into the composition of the Lagarde group. The 1st battalion, assigned to the Cambray mobile group, was sent to the Taza region; Immediately engaged, he will remain, until the end of the campaign, separated from the rest of the regiment. He distinguished himself in Bab-Taza, M'sila, El Hadar, Fez and El Bali, punctuating this harsh campaign, winning a new inscription on the flag "Morocco 1925 - 1927". As registrations are limited to eight, this ninth registration will complete the already existing one "Morocco 1908 - 1913".
Metropolis 1927 to 1939:
This period of reorganization then, from the reoccupation of the Rhineland in March 1936, of preparation for the new world conflict which threatens, is lived in an atmosphere of meditation, as in all the corps of the French army, and the missions of Usual times of peace are filled with enthusiasm:on the local level, annual stays at Mont-Louis in Cerdagne and at the camp of Larzac, where one goes on foot. At the colonial level, half-yearly rotations of the native workforce (the stay of the Senegalese in France was in principle three years), which punctuated the activity of the regiment based on the instruction of the contingents of Senegalese recruits (renewal every six months). Of course, the overseas service of the executives had resumed regularly from the end of 1927, as well as the increasingly frequent mobilization exercises, with an increased participation of reserve executives intended for the 24th RTS and the 44th RICMS, its derivative.
On May 1, 1923, the 24th Colonial Infantry Regiment became, by name change, the 24th Colonial Tirailleurs Regiment; it now includes in its ranks African soldiers and officers, who constitute the largest part of the troops.
On February 22, 1926 the 24th RTC, with the same elements, becomes new name change, the 24th regiment of Senegalese skirmishers, which suggests the ethnic and geographical origin of the skirmishers. 1940, of the 24th R.T.S.; the regiment had practically ceased to exist between June 10 and 15, 1940, after heroic rearguard battles on the Somme and in the Oise, between Saint-Just-en-Chaussée and Clermont.
The 24th R.I.C., created on October 26, 1939 in the Levant, was dissolved on July 12, 1941; it had been given the flag of the 24th R.I.C., dissolved in 1923 after giving birth to the 24th R.T.C.
July 1941 the Marching Battalion of the 24th Colonial Infantry Regiment was created.
On September 2, 1944, at the liberation of the Pyrénées-Orientales, creation of a 24th R.I.C., with a strength of one battalion (six companies) from elements of the F.F.I. of the department.
On August 25, 1945, the 24th Colonial Infantry Regiment was dissolved, and its members were transferred to the 18th R.T.S. in Montpellier.
On May 1, 1948 the 24th R.T.S., with the strength of two battalions, was reconstituted in Carcassonne (central portion) and Perpignan for its participation in the Indochina campaign (Tonkin). The 24th R.T.S. then took the name of 24 Senegalese Tirailleurs Marching Regiment. 1/24th and 2/24th R.M.T.S.
On December 1, 1948 the 3/24th R.M.T.S. becomes 24th R.I.C. reconstituted in Carcassonne and Perpignan.
On December 18, 1954 the 24th R.T.S., after the end of hostilities in the Far East, was dissolved on December 18, 1954.
On December 1, 1958, the 24th R.I.C., in Algeria, became the 24th Marine Infantry Regiment by change of name, without modifying its structures, thus taking up the traditional name of before 1902.
At the ceasefire of March 19, 1962 in Algeria, the 24th RIMA constitutes like 91 other regiments, the 114 units of the Local Force. The 24°RIMA forms two units of the local Force of the Algerian order, the 435°UFL-UFO and the 436°UFL-UFO composed of 10% of metropolitan soldiers and 90% of Muslim soldiers, who during the transitional period were to be in the service of the provisional Algerian executive, until the independence of Algeria. (Evian Accords of March 18, 1962)
September 30, 1962 dissolution of the 24th RIMa, after the end of hostilities in Algeria.
July 1, 1964 reconstitution of the 24th RIMa in Perpignan, from elements coming mainly from the 9th BIMa last battalion TDM, repatriated from Algeria in June 1964.
On July 1, 1980 dissolution of the 24th RIMa following restructuring of the army. Half of the 4th RIMa joined Perpignan where it incorporated the strength of the dissolved 24th RIMa.
July 1, 1986 reconstitution of the 24th RIMa. Half of the 4th RIMa which is in Perpignan and its personnel join Fréjus, while the 24th RIMa is reconstituted in its former garrison.
July 30, 1991 dissolution of the regiment.
The Second World War
The regiment took part in the Second World War, notably in the Battle of France in 1940.
Funny War
When it was created in 1939, the regiment was given the flag of the 24th R.I.C. formerly held by this regiment until 1926, when, having become 24th R.T.S., it received a new flag.
Set up for war on August 25, 1939, the 24th RTS left its garrisons of Perpignan and Sète on August 27 and moved towards the region of Bitche in Moselle where the 4th DIC of which it was part was concentrated, as well as the 2nd RIC of Brest, the 16th R.T.S. de Montauban and the 12th R.A.C. set up for mobilization. This large unit, commanded by General de Bazelaire de Ruppierre, then moved to Alsace and remained there until mid-November 1939. Its units held defensive sectors opposite the Siegfried line, with no notable activities except those of the outpost patrols. On November 27, 1939, the 24th R.T.S., as well as the other formations based on native colonial skirmishers, was withdrawn from the front as in 1914-1918, the rigors of winter handicapping them. After stationing for a few weeks in the Toulon and Hyères region, the 24th R.T.S. returned to Roussillon where he was then employed to guard the Spanish refugee camps of the Republican army, which entered France in early 1939.
This inglorious task, fulfilled with the maximum of humanity, ends at the beginning of April 1940; the regiment joined its large unit, the 4th D.I.C., in Lorraine at Sarrebourg. he was there on May 10 during the outbreak of the German offensive.
Battle of France (1940)
On May 20, the regiment was in position on the Somme front (Weygand Line) with the division, south-east of Amiens, with the mission of defending the bridges and preventing the enemy from crossing them. Under the incessant bombardments of the Stukas (German assault aircraft) he maintained his positions until the beginning of June, fought heroically south of Amiens with his 1st battalion, under the orders of Commander Gelormini, quoted at the order of the army:
On May 23, 1940, at the end of the first phase of the campaign in France, the Germans had set up a bridgehead on the left bank of the Somme at Aubigny and Fouilloy near Corby. The 24th regiment of Senegalese skirmishers retook the village of Aubigny after a violent counter-attack. But the next day, the 13th German infantry division retook the locality. About fifty riflemen, wounded, were finished off by the German troops, while they were prisoners10. This constitutes the first massacre of Senegalese skirmishers noted during this campaign. 315 soldiers from the 1st battalion of the 24th R.T.S. perished in defense of Aubigny.
On June 8 the regiment began its withdrawal, in the rearguard of the 4th division; mission of sacrifice, within the framework of the general retreat, which he fulfilled until the almost complete destruction on June 10, 1940. Entirely isolated and overwhelmed, victim of appalling aerial bombardments, his units dislocated, having suffered enormous losses, the regiment practically ceased to exist on this last date. Only three hundred isolated people, about seven officers, were able to reach their depot in Perpignan after the Armistice; the rest of the regiment, 2,500 men, having been killed, wounded or taken prisoner.
On July 31, 1940, in accordance with the terms of the Armistice of June 25, 1940, the 24th R.T.S. is officially dissolved.
Levant battles (1941)
24th Colonial Mixed Regiment (1939-1941)
This regiment of mixed colonial troops, that is to say comprising approximately 50% Senegalese skirmishers in its troop strength, was set up in October 1939, in the Levant, as part of measures to strengthen the army of the Levant (Lebanon and Syria) whose commander-in-chief was Army General Weygand, recalled to service in 1939.
The two battalions of the regiment stationed in Syria took part in June 1941 in fratricidal combat against the Anglo-Australian and New Zealand forces (ANZAC); overwhelmed by numbers during the defense of Damascus, the 24th RMC was dissolved after the Armistice of Saint-Jean d'Acre, July 3, 1941. Most of the European cadres and some Senegalese were repatriated to France, the others went to the F.F.L. and continued to serve in the ranks of the marching battalion of the 1st D.F.L.
Free French Forces
The regiment was stationed in Syria, but had detached a battalion to Cyprus. This battalion passed to the F.F.L. in July 1940 and became the 1st Marine Infantry Battalion. it merged on July 1, 1942 with the Pacific Battalion to form the Pacific Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMP).
Resistance - Liberation (1944-1945):
After the liberation of the Pyrénées-Orientales on August 19 to 20, 1944, Colonel Cayrol, (captain of colonial infantry, retired) departmental chief F.F.I, of the P.O. (Pyrénées-Orientales), decided to regroup the units of the three major formations of the armed resistance. Then all the elements of the various PO maquis in regular companies, i.e. five companies which entered into the composition of a security battalion created on September 2, 1944, under the initial name of 1st battalion of the 24th RIC. This battalion was first employed to guard the Franco-Spanish border, from Cerbère to the Col de Puymorens, the border post with Andorra, Pas-de-la-case, included.
Participation in campaigns in Alsace and the Alpes-Maritimes:
During the fighting for the defense of Strasbourg in December 1944, the 1st Free French Division had suffered very heavy losses, in particular the marching battalion no. December 1942.) To replace it in the 1st DFL, the Minister of War designated, at the beginning of February 1945, the battalion of the 24th of the Pyrénées-Orientales (whose choice was probably motivated by the similarity of the number of the weapon of belonging ). This is how the battalion was set out on the Alsace by rail on February 15, 1945, dressed and equipped in Besançon on February 18, it arrived on the 25th in Chatenois south of Strasbourg, where it received its armament and was reorganized. :
The 1st, 3rd and 4th companies remain rifle companies.
The 2nd becomes heavy company (engine-mortars).
The 5th became a machine gun company.
Thus set up for war, the 24th RIC, almagated for employment with units of the 13th Foreign Legion demi-brigade, took part in the guard and then to the fighting to clear the capital of Alsace.
The 1st DFL must make an emergency move towards the Alpes-Maritimes, to face the movements of German troops driven back from Italy. He took part in the clearing and cleaning operations of the Authion massif and the Franco-Italian border, his companies being attached to the battalions of the 13th DBLE (taken from San Dalmasso, Vénadio, Gonella, Arbouin, Pézurbe , Collet d'Arboi, Plan Caval and Colla Bassa).
By government order, the French troops of the army detachment of the Alps will not cross the border they border, defense being made to enter Italy.
After World War II
On June 15, 1945, the 1st DFL left the front to regroup in the Fontainebleau region and the 1st battalion of the 24th RIC joined the 16th RTS, designated to be part of the 1st colonial division in the Far East. (1st DCEO) The battalion personnel, who had signed contracts for the duration of the war, are not volunteers as a whole for Indochina. As a result, the battalion was transferred to the 2nd DIC whose PC was in Marseilles and, after its dissolution and change of name, it was to form the 3rd battalion 18th RTS, stationed in Montpellier, garrison joined on August 25, 1945. September 1945 personnel not volunteering to remain in the active army are demobilized and sent back to their homes.
Indochina War
The 24th RTS in Indochina (1948-1955):
As part of the measures to reinforce the expeditionary corps in the Far East, the 24th regiment of Senegalese skirmishers was reconstituted into two battalions on May 1, 1948 in Carcassonne and Perpignan.
Taking up the flag of the glorious regiment disappeared in the turmoil in June and officially dissolved on June 30, 1940. The regiment embarked in Marseille on September 1, 1948 and landed in Haiphong on December 30 to be immediately engaged in Tonkin.
Both battalions actively participated in pacification operations in the Sontay, Hoa Binh, Haïduong, Hadong and Kie-Nan sectors. ordered the construction, a veritable little Maginot line erected for the protection of the "useful Delta".
These obscure and inglorious, but deadly tasks, are accomplished with abnegation by the cadres and the troops. 2nd c company will be mentioned in the order of the Army in January 1951).
In 1950, the regimental level was dissolved on the tactical level, only retaining an administrative role of management and, in fact, the two battalions became autonomous.
These two battalions were dissolved after the evacuation of Tonkin in December 1954, before their repatriation to France.
After the departure for Indochina of the 24th R.T.S. to two battalions, on December 1, 1948, the 3rd battalion which remained in France constituted the nucleus of the new 24th colonial infantry regiment reconstituted in the same garrisons as the one from which it had come.
War in Algeria
As part of A.F.N. the 1st battalion was sent to Algeria, in Constantinois, in November 1954, while the 2nd battalion joined Tunisia. In June 1955 these two battalions were grouped together in the Biskra region.
The 3rd battalion, which in turn came as reinforcements on November 26, 1955, also operated in the Constantinois and the Aures; at this time, at the end of 1955, the 24th R.I.C. is entirely grouped in southern Constantine.
On December 1, 1958, by change of name, it became "24th Marine Infantry Regiment"
Because it it was then necessary to change all the names of the formations of the Troops of Overseas. and other equally glorious adjectives "Senegalese" and the term "Tirailleur" charged with the finest traditions of the French army.
In 1959, the 24th R.I.Ma lost a battalion, removed from the order of battle; on July 1, 1959, it became a regiment with two groups of companies. It will be dissolved at the end of the operations in Algeria.
Before its dissolution, at the ceasefire of March 19, 1962 in Algeria, the 24th RIMA constitutes like 91 other regiments, the 114 units of the Local Force. The 24°RIMA forms two units of the local Force of the Algerian order, the 435°UFL-UFO and the 436°UFL-UFO composed of 10% of metropolitan soldiers and 90% of Muslim soldiers, who during the transitional period were to be in the service of the provisional Algerian executive, until the independence of Algeria. (Evian Agreements of March 18, 1962)
Transformation and dissolution of the regiment
On July 1, 1964, in Perpignan, in the old citadel of Charles V renovated by Vauban to reinstate the 24th R.I.Ma in its traditional garrison. il est reconstitué à partir des effectifs du 9e D.I.Ma, l’avant-dernier bataillon rentré d’Algérie le 19 juin 1964, et complété par des cadres venus d’autres formations de la métropole, le 24e R.I.Ma, sous le commandement du Lieutenant-Colonel Bentresque est le dernier chef de corps du 9e B.I.Ma reprend sa place à Perpignan et en Roussillon.
Le régiment s’installe à la citadelle et à la caserne Joffre :
A la citadelle l’état-major du régiment et les services administratifs et techniques.
A la caserne la compagnie de commandement et des services puis les deux groupes de commandos.
Le groupement d’instruction des recrues, à deux compagnies, sera au camp de Rivesaltes en attendant la libération par le centre national d’entrainement commando du bâtiment de l’horloge à la citadelle. Cette implantation du groupement d’instruction à Rivesalte, qui présentait des inconvénients en ce qui concerne la vétusté des locaux et l’éloignement de la portion centrale, offrait en contrepartie de grands avantages sur le plan de l’instruction des jeunes recrues. Proximité des terrains de manœuvres et champs de tir. Elle sera de nouveau adoptée à partir de 1976.
Organisation et mission du régiment :
En 1964, lors de sa mise à pied, le 24e R.I.Ma, régiment d’infanterie des forces du territoire, relève pour l’emploi et l’instruction du général commandant la 9e région militaire; sur le plan du commandement territorial il relève du commandant du groupe subdivision de Perpignan, qui coiffe l’Aude et les Pyrénées-Orientales.
Le régiment comporte alors deux groupements de commandos.
Un troixième sera créé par la suite lors de la dissolution d’une des deux compagnies du groupement d’instruction.
Les groupements de commandos comprennent :
Un élément de commandement;
Un détachement de reconnaissance sur jeeps;
Trois détachements de quatre commandos (à huit hommes);
Un détachement d’appui (ENTAC-mortier de 60 mm).
cette organisation évoluera progressivement :les groupements de commandos donnent naissance à des compagnies engerbant tois sections de combat du type dit « de transition » adaptées aux combats antichar et une section d’appui de canons de 106 mm SR et de mortiers de 81 mm.
Les détachements de reconnaissance et ENTAC seront regroupés au niveau du régiment de deux sections d’éclairage régimentaire et une section d’ENTAC; elle est d’abord de la C.C.S. puis à partir du 1er juillet 1978, au sein de la compagnie d’éclairage et d’appui, créé à cette date.
Outre les missions territoriales le 24e de Marine recevra une hypothèque d’emploi au profit du 2e Corps d’Armée, ce qui l’amènera à valoriser sa capacité antichar.
En outre, et compte tenu de sa position géographique d’une part, de son appartenance aux Troupes de Marine d’autre part, il donnera à ses personnels une aptitude au combat amphibie et héliporté.
En dehors de cette hypothèque au profit du 2e Corps d’Armée il sera mis sous les ordres du général commandant la 72e Division Militaire. Devenue 54e Division Militaire lors de la fusion des 5e et 7e Région Militaire en 1977 en ce qui concerne l’instruction et l’emploi.
En 1980 d’un effectif supérieur à 1000 hommes dont une cinquantaine d’officiers et cent trente sous-officiers, le 24e de Marine est composé essentiellement, en ce qui concerne les hommes du rang, de personnel du contingent venant des départements du sud de la France.
Pour faire face aux missions très variées qui pourraient lui être confiés le régiment doit acquérir une aptitude opérationnelle maximum, ce qui suppose, outre la formation tactique et technique, une grande résistance physique de ses personnels.
C’est ainsi que chaque homme reçoit une initiation au ski et aux activités nautiques dans des camps de circonstances.
Depuis 1979 les activités de vie de campagne dans les camps de Caylus, La Courtine, Le Larzac. Pour les campagnes de tir aux Garrigues ou à Canjuers.
À l’occasion des différentes manœuvres motorisées, amphibies ou héliportées, les manœuvres régimentaires dans les Pyrénées-Orientales et l’Aude. Les manœuvres régionales ou divisionnaires sur tout le territoire de la 5e Région Militaire, manœuvres en liaison avec les forces de manœuvre dans l’est.
Les compagnies de combat effectuent chaque année un stage dans un centre d’entrainement commando.
Le 1er juillet 1980 dissolution du 24e RIMa à la suite de la restructuration de l’armée de terre. Une moitié du 4e RIMa rejoint Perpignan où elle incorpore les effectifs du 24e RIMa dissous. Le 1er juillet 1986 reconstitution du 24e RIMa. Une moitié du 4e RIMa qui se trouve à Perpignan et ses personnels rejoignent Fréjus, tandis que le 24e RIMa se reconstitue dans son ancienne garnison.Une de ses fonctions principale pendant ces années est de former, avec le 4e Rima, les appelés du service national ayant signés un volontariat service long pour partir en outre-mer (VSLOM)
Le 30 juillet 1991 dissolution du régiment.
Traditions
La fête des troupes de marine
Elle est célébrée à l’occasion de l’anniversaire des combats de BAZEILLES . Ce village qui a été 4 fois repris et abandonné sur ordres, les 31 août et le 1er septembre 1870.
Et au Nom de Dieu, vive la coloniale
The Porpoises and the Bigors have God himself as their patron saint. This battle cry ends the intimate ceremonies that are part of regimental life. Son origine est une action de grâce du Révérend Père Charles de Foucauld, missionnaire, voyant arriver à son secours les unités coloniales un jour où il était en difficulté avec une tribu locale.
Insigne du 24e régiment d’infanterie coloniale
Insigne d’épaule l’ancre d’infanterie de marine.
Signification
Devise du 24e régiment d’infanterie coloniale
"Sempre endavant, mai morirem"
"Toujours avancer" ou "Plutôt mourir que reculer"
Drapeau du régiment
Les noms des batailles s’inscrivent en lettres d’or sur le drapeau :
Drapeau du 24e régiment d’infanterie coloniale
Inscriptions au drapeau
Inscriptions au Drapeau de 1923 à décembre 1939, drapeau du 24eRIC détenu par le (24e RTC puis le 24e RTS).
SEBASTOPOL 1854-1855
TUYEN QUANG 1885
TANANARIVE 1895
TIEN TSIN 1900
MAROC 1908-1913
LA MARNE 1914
LA SOMME 1916
L’AISNE-REIMS 1917-1918
MAROC 1925-1927
Inscription au Drapeau à partir de décembre 1939 pour le 24e RTS.
MAROC 1925-1927
Inscriptions au Drapeau à partir d’octobre 1939 pour le 24e RMC, qui reprend celles du 24e RIC moins celle gagnée par le 24e RTS.
fourragère aux couleurs du ruban de la croix de guerre 1914-1918
SEBASTOPOL 1854-1855
TUYEN QUANG 1885
TANANARIVE 1895
TIEN TSIN 1900
MAROC 1908-1913
LA MARNE 1914
LA SOMME 1916
L’AISNE-REIMS 1917-1918
Faits d’armes à l’honneur du régiment
Prise du drapeau du 69e régiment d’infanterie allemand, le 26 septembre 1914 à Minaucourt.
Décorations
Il a reçu la fourragère aux couleurs du ruban de la Croix de guerre 1914-1918 le 24 juillet 1918.
Deux citations à l’ordre de l’armée,
une citation à l’ordre du corps d’armée.
« Le général commandant l’armée est heureux de porter à la connaissance des troupes sous ses ordres l’enlèvement d’un drapeau du 69e régiment d’Infanterie allemande. Ce brillant fait d’armes a été accompli par le 24e régiment d’infanterie coloniale pendant la journée du 26 septembre 1914, combats au cours desquels l’ennemi a subi des pertes considérables et abandonné entre nos mains de nombreux prisonniers. Cette prise fait le plus grand honneur au 24e régiment d’infanterie coloniale et est de nature a rehausser si possible la brillante réputation de ce régiment. »
Le 22 octobre 1914, la croix de la Légion d’honneur fut épinglée à la cravate du drapeau par le général de Langle de Cary, en présence de détachements de tous les régiments du corps d’armée groupés autour du monument de Valmy15
Chefs de corps du 24e R.I.C
Il y eut 52 chefs de corps dans l’histoire du régiment :
Première période (1902-1940)
1902-1903 :colonel Lalubin.
1904-1905 :colonel Bourgey.
1905-1906 :colonel D’Albignac.
1906-1907 :colonel Gouttenegre
1907-1909 :colonel Bertin
1909-1910 :colonel Pourrat
1910-1911 :colonel Aymerich (général de division le 25 décembre 1915).
1911-1913 :colonel Dessort (général de division le 26 février 1928).
1913-1914 :colonel Comte.
1914 :colonel Bethouart
1914 :chef de bataillon Borda (du 30 août au 13 septembre 1914).
1914-1916 :lieutenant-colonel Jannot (général de division 7 décembre 1928).
1916 :chef de bataillon Magnabal (du 2 juillet au 22 juillet 1916)(général de brigade le 20 janvier 1928).
1916 :colonel Nogues (général de brigade le 20 mai 1917)
1916-1917 :lieutenant-colonel Vautravers.
1917 :colonel Bonnin (général de brigade le 20 décembre 1917).
1917-1919 :lieutenant-colonel Thierry (général de corps d’armée en 1927).
1919-1920 :colonel Cambay (général de brigade le 25 juin 1925).
1920-1922 :lieutenant-colonel Gauvin.
1922-1925 :colonel Lemagnen.
1925-1929 :colonel le Boulanger.
1929-1931 :colonel Arnaud.
1931-1933 :colonel Malafosse.
1933-1935 :colonel Bernard.
1935-1937 :colonel Quilichini (général de brigade en 1944).
1937-1939 :colonel Conraud.
1939-1940 :colonel Alexandre.
1940 :lieutenant-colonel Fabre.
Deuxième période (1948-1962)
1948-1950 :colonel Waymel (général de gbrigade le 25 octobre 1958).
1950-1952 :colonel Runner.
1952-1954 :lieutenant-colonel Daboval (général de brigade le 16 juillet 1964).
1954-1955 :colonel Jaume (général de brigade le 1er janvier 1963).
1955-1956 :colonel voisard.
1956-1958 :colonel Daboval (général de brigade le 16 juillet 1964).
1958-1959 :colonel Richard de Vesvrotte (général de brigade le 17 octobre 1963).
1959 :lieutenant-colonel Droniou.
1959-1960 :lieutenant-colonel Rouy.
1960-1961 :lieutenant-colonel Calvet (général de brigade le 26 juin 1970).
1961 :lieutenant-colonel Malgras.
1961-1962 :lieutenant-colonel Bertrand (général de brigade le 12 février 1972).
Troisième période (1964-1980)
1964 :lieutenant-colonel Bentresque (Général de Division 1er septembre 1976).
1964-1966 :colonel Larrieu (Général de Brigade le 1er avril 1971).
1966-1968 :colonel Gilles (Général de Brigade le 1er avril 1974).
1968-1970 :colonel Menvielle-Arrebou (Général de Brigade le 15 février 1976).
1970-1972 :colonel Planchon (Général de Division le 1er mars 1979).
1972-1974 :colonel Lefranc.
1974-1976 :colonel Blin.
1976-1978 :colonel Jan.
1978-1980 :colonel Danet.
Quatrième période (1986-1991)
1986-1987 :colonel Léonardi.
1987-1989 :colonel Le Port.
1989-1991 :colonel Reynold de Sérezin.
Pour mémoire :
Le 24e régiment mixte colonial (mis sur pied en 1939 au Levant le 1er décembre 1939, dissous le 15 juillet 1941).
1939-1940 :colonel Georges-Picot (général de brigade le 1er mars 1946).
1940-1941 :colonel Pefontan (Général de Brigade le 1er juin 1946).
Le bataillon de marche du 24e régiment d’infanterie coloniale (a regroupé des formations des FFI du département des Pyrénées-Orientales; mis sur pied le 1er septembre 1944, dissous le 15 août 1945).
1944-1945 :lieutenant-colonel FFI Balouet.
Personnages célèbres ayant servi au 24e R.I.C
Valentin Béhélo compagnon de la Libération
Renaud Jean, député